With Ohio State set to play its homecoming game and sixth game of the season against Indiana at Ohio Stadium on Saturday (4 p.m., Fox), Urban Meyer briefly met with reporters for the final time this week to answer lingering questions and preview the Buckeyes' upcoming matchup with the Hoosiers.
A bullet-point recap of what he had to say:
- Meyer says the Buckeyes are playing their freshmen as needed and are not worrying about saving redshirt eligibility. "If they're ready to play, they're going to play."
- Dre'Mont Jones and Damon Arnette will both play on Saturday.
- Meyer says Mickey Marotti "watches very closely" to make sure players are not overly fatigued.
- Meyer described former Ohio State quarterback Kenny Guiton as the "doctor of competitive excellence" while talking about the competitiveness he expects from his players.
- On Indiana: "I think they got very good players and an excellent coach." Singled out Indiana receiver Whop Philyor, who missed the Hoosiers' most recent game with an injury, as a player who stands out.
- Meyer said he doesn't believe Ohio State has depth that separates the team from the rest of the Big Ten: "I don't see that right now. I really don't. We're hanging on at a couple positions right now." He says the team needs Brady Taylor back.
- Who's going to start at safety with Isaiah Pryor suspended for the first half? "We're not sure yet."
Stay tuned with Eleven Warriors for additional coverage from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, wide receivers K.J. Hill, Terry McLaurin and Austin Mack, linebacker Pete Werner and safety Jordan Fuller are also scheduled to meet with reporters on Wednesday.
